Learning how to teach for positive mental health: lessons from research lessons in primary school placements

Mental health is now a global priority, and in the UK, education is positioned at the forefront of the ‘crisis’ in order to reduce mental illness whilst also promoting and supporting positive mental health. One mechanism available to primary schools to educate children about their mental health and wellbeing which is supportive of staff development is through the use of lesson study. In 2018, a group of four student-teachers used lesson study in collaboration with their school-based mentors to teach mental health issues to young children as part of the PSHE curriculum in their schools. Lesson study was used as the vehicle for inquiry into mentor and student-teacher collaborative practice. We will be presenting the findings of this small-scale exploratory study and considering how this model of practice can be developed in the future.

Wasyl Cajkler is Professor of Education at the University of Leicester and Chair of the Lesson Study Research Group.Sarah Adams is a Lecturer in Primary Initial Teacher Education.